DEFINITION/OVERVIEW

• Malignant tumor of squamous epithelium
  
• Rapid progression (weeks); locally invasive, highly bone-invasive (77%)
  
• Most common oral malignancy in cats; reportedly second most common oral malignancy in dogs
  
• Metastasis: rare in cats; lymph nodes most common metastatic site; approximately 10–20% metastasis in dogs (lymph nodes, lungs), lower metastatic rate for rostral lesions

ETIOLOGY/PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

• Potential risk factors in cats include flea collars, canned food, tuna, and possibly tobacco smoke
  
• Cause of death: secondary to local recurrence, dysphagia, and subsequent cachexia

SIGNALMENT/HISTORY

• Dogs and cats
  
• Mean age (dogs and cats): 10.5 years (range: 3–15 years)
  
• More common in medium- and large-breed dogs
  
• Mass
  
• Excessive salivation
  
• Dysphagia
  
• Halitosis
  
• Bloody oral discharge
  
• Weight loss

CLINICAL FEATURES

• Erythematous, ulcerated, cauliflower lesion
  
• Rostral mandible is the most common site
  
• Loose teeth
  
• Facial swelling and/or deformity
  
• Exophthalmos
  
• Pain on opening jaw

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

• Other oral malignancy: fibrosarcoma in cats; fibrosarcoma, osteosarcoma in dogs
  
• Epulis (see Chapter 37)
  
• Tooth root abscess (see Chapter 35)
  
• Benign growth or polyp
  
• Gingival hyperplasia (see Chapter 27)
  
• Eosinophilic granuloma complex (see Chapter 59)

DIAGNOSTICS

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